10 Unspoken Rules to Follow When You Visit Brazil

I love being Brazilian. Rarely do I not get a smile or a fun story out of someone who asks where I’m from. Brazil is a country of joy, warmth, and nuance. It’s easy to feel all of these things when you visit, but perhaps a little harder to blend in without knowing what really moves and shakes this culture. Besides being one of the largest countries in the world, Brazilians differ a lot regionally. To help you make the most of your time there, these are some of the unspoken rules that apply mostly everywhere.

Wear less.

Look at a map and it all makes sense: Brazil is a country that lives in an almost permanent state of summer. Flip-flops are not just beachwear here; they’re a cultural staple. Bikini tops are acceptable as shirts inside most establishments, and clothes are light and airy. Brazilian style is undeniably sexy—skin is celebrated not just because we love it, but because it’s practical. In cities further from the coast, people tend to dress a little more formally, but even then, the golden rule holds: Before you leave the house, take one thing off. You won’t miss it.

Share more.

Brazilian culture is community-centered. Families live near each other and it’s normal for kids to live at home well into adulthood. That sense of togetherness extends to social life: It’s rare to see a Brazilian eating or drinking alone. Beers, for example, are typically served in one-liter bottles known as litrão, accompanied by small glass cups. You’ll share the bottle with friends, refilling each other’s glasses and tallying the empties only when it’s time to pay. There’s a practical reason for this, too: Sharing means the beer stays ice-cold. Drinking a whole liter alone would mean settling for warm beer—an unthinkable offense in a country where it’s expected to be served at near-zero degrees.

Bus instead of plane.

Believe it or not, traveling by bus is a comfortable, economical, and reliable way to get around in Brazil. In a country this size, airports can be a hassle, far from city centers and bogged down by long security lines, delays, and baggage drops. Buses, on the other hand, depart from terminals usually located in the city center, are air-conditioned, have large, reclining seats, and usually leave on time. To get to most beach towns outside of big cities, they’re your best and less stressful option.

Learn basic Portuguese phrases.

A big mistake people make is coming to Brazil thinking they can get away with Spanish or English and not trying to speak the language. Though most Brazilians understand Spanish, English is really not spoken widely. The polite and sensible thing to do is learn basic greetings and phrases. Not only will the host feel appreciated and respected, but it’s a much easier way to make friends and engage in the local culture.

Lunch is more important than breakfast or dinner.

Lunch, or almoço, is when Brazilians stop what they’re doing and sit down to have the day’s biggest meal. Grab-and-go culture is not really a thing here; the meal often revolves around going home to eat with the family and taking a proper break, or going to a per kilo restaurant where you can serve yourself and don’t need to wait a long time for food. A classic prato feito—rice, beans, salad, and a protein (usually chicken or beef) finished with garlicky yucca flour—is a cultural staple. Sit-down breakfast spots are not very popular, unless you’re in a hotel. Most people pop into a neighborhood bakery for a quick cafezinho and pão na chapa—buttered, toasted bread—eaten standing at the counter. Most Brazilians end the day on a quieter note, with coffee and cake.

Don’t be flashy.

Flaunting wealth is a sure way to place yourself under the wrong spotlight here. The Brazilian dress code is fun, colorful, vibrant, and quite simple. That can be accomplished with good taste and humility. Leave out the expensive jewelry and designer logos, unless you are familiar with your surroundings. Add in charisma and you’re set. It’s less about rejecting luxury and more about blending respect, humility, and awareness of your environment.

Never be on time.

Maybe they ran into a friend on the street. Maybe their mom called. Maybe there was traffic. Brazilians don’t plan for delays—they expect them. Showing up exactly on time usually means you’ll be the only one there. Culturally, it’s more important for us to indulge in the unpredictable than to strictly abide by norms that constrict movement and spontaneity.

Flirting is a sport.

To be called “my love,” “beautiful,” and “sweetheart” by the cashier at the bakery, getting two or three kisses on the cheek anytime you meet or say goodbye to someone, and even gently touched on the arm during a conversation is very much part of how Brazilians let you know they’re fond of you. Men give women attention, women give women attention, and men have their own way with each other, too. It’s a culture of warmth, contact, and not a whole ton of personal space.

To make a plan is to break a plan.

When someone says they want to see you again, meet you for coffee next week, or that you should schedule lunch, they mean it. They really do. Unfortunately, it’s very unlikely to happen. I have lost track of how many times I was treated like a best friend by someone I just met, and never saw them again. When a Brazilian likes you, you become family. Though the intention to remain connected is there, staying fixed to plans out of obligation is not the way they move about. Typically, if you are meant to see each other, they believe you will. To our shock, it happens more often than not. You meet again by chance and get a glimpse of the magic that is trusting the flow of life.

Learn to say “no” indirectly.

We are friendly people with a generally indirect communication style, especially when it comes to saying “no.” It’s not that we never say “no,” we just prefer to leave things open-ended. A sense of possibility leaves room for connection. For example, if you come into someone’s home after you’ve already had lunch and they offer you lunch again, sitting down and having a snack is probably the best way to make a good impression. We seem boundaryless, but it’s more about the time spent together than the meal. Rather than a blunt refusal, finding another way to say “no” helps you connect into our more communal way of living.